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Member Biography

Georgia Tech’s all-time leading passer, Joe Hamilton amassed a Hall of Fame career in Atlanta that culminated with winning the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award his senior season. He becomes the 13th Yellow Jacket to be elected to the College Football Hall of Fame.

A 1999 Consensus First-Team All-American, Hamilton was a four-year starter, and he ended his career as the ACC’s leader in total offense (10,640 yards) and pass efficiency (148.2), currently ranking second in both categories. The ACC Player of the Year his senior season, he twice earned first-team all-conference honors, and he was the Heisman Trophy runner-up in 1999. A finalist for the Maxwell and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm awards, Hamilton holds seven Georgia Tech records, including passing yards (8,882), touchdown passes (65) and completion percentage (62.0). He led the Yellow Jackets to a 30-17 record and three bowl games, including wins in the 1997 Carquest Bowl and 1999 Gator Bowl. Hamilton helped Georgia Tech to a 10-2 record in 1998, claiming a No. 9 national ranking and a share of the ACC title.

Selected in the seventh round of the 2000 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Hamilton spent two seasons with the Buccaneers and one with the Indianapolis Colts. Hamilton also played for the Orlando Predators of the Arena Football League for three seasons, posting a 32-15 record as the starting quarterback.

Inducted into the Georgia Tech Sports Hall of Fame in 2009, the Alvin, S.C., native was named to the ACC’s 50th Anniversary Team in 2002, and he was among the inaugural class of ACC Football Legends in 2005. Hamilton founded the Alvin Recreational Youth Camp, volunteering with various other football and basketball camps and serving as a guest speaker at other events. He currently helps as a recruiting assistant at Georgia Tech.